½ Crown - Anne post-Union 1709

[Citizen H]

this has been found today, I recall it was at great debate other whether it was real or a dud, time moves on and now wondering if its a mint fault?

has it been in circulation?  can say Ive seen damage like this before... comments welcome.   👍

[Martinminerva]

A very good quality silver plated/clad forgery, unfortunately. The area of damage is where the silver surface has been broken away, revealing the base metal (a copper alloy) underneath.

[Citizen H]

4 hours ago, Martinminerva said:

A very good quality silver plated/clad forgery, unfortunately. The area of damage is where the silver surface has been broken away, revealing the base metal (a copper alloy) underneath.

many thanks, I thought it might be  to good to be true...it wasn't a huge price I recall but at least this put this to rest, in my pot of copy's repro & fakes..all the best "H"   

[Coinery]

I have to say, whilst I can’t explain away the flaw/issue, I feel the coin looks genuine to me…at least as much as studying an image can conclude. What about weight?

[Citizen H]

18 hours ago, Coinery said:

I have to say, whilst I can’t explain away the flaw/issue, I feel the coin looks genuine to me…at least as much as studying an image can conclude. What about weight?

its showing as 16grms on the kitchen scales, also a pic of the reverse 

 

[Martinminerva]

I must say I have to agree with Coinery - whilst there were many high quality contemporary forgeries, it really does look pretty genuine; don't know offhand what a correct weight should be, though... One other possibility is that it is actually genuine and that some foreign matter got mixed into the molten silver when the blanks were made and it is this that has subsequently made the missing sliver of surface silver fall off during its life, a bit like a lamination flaw. To be absolutely definitive, it would need to be seen in the flesh by someone competent.

[Citizen H]

22 hours ago, Martinminerva said:

I must say I have to agree with Coinery - whilst there were many high quality contemporary forgeries, it really does look pretty genuine; don't know offhand what a correct weight should be, though... One other possibility is that it is actually genuine and that some foreign matter got mixed into the molten silver when the blanks were made and it is this that has subsequently made the missing sliver of surface silver fall off during its life, a bit like a lamination flaw. To be absolutely definitive, it would need to be seen in the flesh by someone competent.

well...a quick look on Numista give the following information. 

Composition Silver (.925)

Weight15.05 g (the kitchen scales reads 16 grms) 

Diameter 34 mm ( the one i have is 33mm, plastic ruler) 

Orientation Coin alignment ↑↓ (correct) 

so I still think its inconclusive 

as once said "The Opera is over until the fat lady sings....." 🤔I still think it needs further investigation....many thanks for the input👍  

[Sword]

Try balancing the coin on your forefinger and then tap with another coin to hear how it sounds. Silver sounds very differently than base metal. 

[Citizen H]

22 hours ago, Sword said:

Try balancing the coin on your forefinger and then tap with another coin to hear how it sounds. Silver sounds very differently than base metal. 

ah ok, I also need to mention the around the edge it reads DECVS . ET . TUTAMEN. ANNO. REGNI. OCTAVO, so hopefully this is also a plus..... 

Edited October 13 by Citizen H

[Citizen H]

On 10/12/2025 at 10:02 PM, Sword said:

Try balancing the coin on your forefinger and then tap with another coin to hear how it sounds. Silver sounds very differently than base metal. 

Aha,.......yes! I tried this with 2 rubbed shillings, "Ting!" and then one of the rubbed shillings against the half crown and "Ting!" so... hopefully this concludes its not a alloy or base metal conundrum....a satisfying moment when this happened....  👍